clogged subsurface downspout drain

[rockyroller]

poking around my Mother's house I have discovered a clogged subsurface downspout drain. I only noticed by accident. but now that I know about it, I suspect it might cause some water intrusion, into the basement washroom, leading to the garage. I can probably neglect it ...

I wonder if I can just shop-vac out the clog, or maybe I should just divert it to an area on the side of the house but away from the building. ideally we get it professionally resolved but there are so many items like this that we'd rather leave for the next owners. also I doubt anyone would notice if it kept being neglected

I moved out 45? years ago & have no memory of this area, or of discussing with Pops. the area shows signs of erosion & I see blocks around it. I recently cut a block so it would fit better & added some gravel around it. on a subsequent visit I noticed the gravel got washed away. there must have bee a lot of overflow. I've since swept it back in areas that should hold. the house has 2 of these. the one in the front of the house seems to be working as designed

objective opinions?

 

[Bonefish Blues]

I had a blocked pipe like that and resolved it by patient use of a jet washer for an hour or so, which flushed things up and out until it flowed freely. If that hadn't worked I'd have called in the power wash pros to jet it.

 

[raleighnut]

^^^^^^^^^^ +1

 

[Electric_Andy]

You'll be amazed at what a bit of water flow will do, providing of course you can get access. I had the same thing, a downpipe had been buried in 12 inches of gravel, so was blocked with silt, roots, and a lot of gravel. After scraping the worst of it out by hand, I just had a normal hose (set to a small powerful jet at the nozzle) and shot up through. I do have a pressure washer but it wasn't required. Beware, your hands will stink afterwards!

 

[T4tomo]

start by removing this bit

to work out where the blockage is and then pressure hose and rod it until it clears. With luck most of the clog will be in the removed piece of pipe.

 

[rockyroller]

thank you, started watching YouTube videos. many also show finding the exit. gee I wonder where that is?

 

[T4tomo]

thank you, started watching YouTube videos. many also show finding the exit. gee I wonder where that is?

In the UK it would go into the mains sewer, but with you uncivilised Yanks it could go anywhere.

It could just go to a big soakaway - basically a buried pit full of stones

 

[figbat]

In the UK it would go into the mains sewer, but with you uncivilised Yanks it could go anywhere.

It could just go to a big soakaway - basically a buried pit full of stones

Assuming that’s a guttering downpipe, ours goes to a soakaway. As a consequence we get a rebate on our water bill.

 

[Gwylan]

I have a hose thung that fits the pressure washer and with patient use will clear most blockages.
Worked on the septic tank feed on one of our houses.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Ours goes into our pond. Keeps it full.

 

[rockyroller]

it would help if I was there during a torrential downpour

 

[rockyroller]

just talked to my 95 yr old Mom who has been in assisted living for less than a year now. she knew exactly what I was talking about but had no idea where the exit port might be. at least she didn't tell me to stop trying to fix stuff

 

[rockyroller]

start by removing this bit
View attachment 785135
to work out where the blockage is and then pressure hose and rod it until it clears. With luck most of the clog will be in the removed piece of pipe.

thank you ... thinking about removing that, I haven't tried shaking or wiggling it. anytime I touch it, it feels secure. wondering how much effort will be required to break it free & what adhesive to use to reattach it at the base. I suspect it's all original from 1966

 

[T4tomo]

thank you ... thinking about removing that, I haven't tried shaking or wiggling it. anytime I touch it, it feels secure. wondering how much effort will be required to break it free & what adhesive to use to reattach it at the base. I suspect it's all original from 1966

Don't die wondering...